The joys of volunteering

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — Emily Vallelong, former director of volunteers at St Vincent’s Hospital and now co-chair of the annual spring luncheon for the Auxiliary of Richmond University Medical Center, read a small poem describing the effects of “dropping that one pebble in the water” that really wraps up volunteerism beautifully. Her co-chair was Carol Pisapia, not only VP for ambulatory care at the hospital but a 22-year volunteer for the auxiliary.

The volunteers, ladies and gentlemen, were all there — those who are still around that is. The hair was gray (or slightly tinted), the faces wrinkled, the walk a little slower, but the eyes were bright and the smiles genuine.

Even though these folks were an integral part of my life for many years I had to admit to each of them that while my memory for names had slipped I could not forget their dedication to what had been St Vincent’s Hospital and now proudly bears the name of Richmond University Medical Center.

Big deal, you might say. Yes it is! Just in case any of you is looking around for a reason for being and thought volunteering at a hospital is not for you, think again. The medical care anyone receives in a hospital environment is the result of a multitude of small efforts. So if bedside assistance is not for you, that’s fine; there are plenty of other areas that would welcome your aid and your energy.

Heard enough about spiraling medical costs? Would you believe that because of the fund raising and other efforts of the volunteers who gave over 125,000 hours, Katherine Rooney, chairman of the board of trustees, and board member Alan Weissglass estimate they saved over a million dollars this past year and allowed 75 to 80 employees to keep their jobs. Wouldn’t it be nice to be part of that support? As these two put it, “Volunteers are the heart of the hospital.”

Louise Fischette, 85, was there. A former school teacher who retired, she enjoyed all the fun she had looked forward to and then decided she wanted to do something of quality with the time on her hands. She volunteered in the gift shop from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. for 20 years! So did Netta Petruzzelli, now 88. They became good friends and still enjoy each other’s company.

Ethel Daum has volunteered two days a week in the medical library for 23 of her 24 years with the hospital. Either via the telephone or in person she has been able to be of help to physicians and others on so many occasions. Good feeling!

Peg Kiernan is only 83. She has been involved for 64 years, starting out as a messenger. That friendly cart that travels the corridors bringing news in the form of magazines, newspapers, etc. is her focus. “I get more out of my efforts than anything else I do.”

Betty Susalis also started as a messenger moving up to the cart and has devoted 15 years to the auxiliary.

Dee Dougheatry, 86, has devoted 11,000 volunteer hours to the hospital and still comes in from New Jersey to help. One of her volunteer jobs was in the psychiatric unit. A former nurse, and still as busy as ever, she smiled and said, “Guess I will have to be hit on the head with a hammer to slow down.”

Mary Magnuski, 83, volunteered for 12 years as a eucharistic minister.

So be a pebble! You are needed! Get out of the house. Meet some new people. Do something for others. You will be surprised how good you will feel. Call 718-818-2720, the volunteer office.